West Virginia University will bring more than 40 area landlords and rental managers to campus on Wednesday, Jan. 12 to meet with students interested in living off-campus.

The annual Off-Campus Housing Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

“Students at WVU have so many options available to them. The fair is a good opportunity to explore those options and get a feel for the different properties available to them within their budget,” said Brian J. Walker, off-campus housing director with the Office of Student Life.

Representatives from WVU Student Legal Services, the Off-Campus Housing Office, the Morgantown Fire Department, City Code Enforcement, the Morgantown Parking Authority and Allied Waste will also be present at the fair to answer students’ questions.

Students who attend the fair will have the opportunity to win door prizes provided by landlords, such as GPS systems and gift cards to various restaurants and stores. Students must be present at the time the door prize winners are announced to receive a gift. An announcement will be made 10 minutes prior to drawing each door prize.

When looking for a place to live, there are a variety of things students should consider, Walker said.

First and foremost, students must establish a budget for housing, Walker said.

When considering a budget for housing, Walker said, students should include the cost of utilities, travel and other personal expenses.

“For many students this is the first legal contract they have ever entered into and they often don’t understand the ramifications,” Walker said.

Safety should also be a main focus for students when looking for a place to live, Walker said.

Students should make sure that all windows in the property lock, no matter what floor they are on, and all windows open in case of a fire, Walker said.

Walker also suggests that students look closely at the door locks and make sure they have deadbolts.

More information on off-campus housing can be found online at http://www.studentlife.wvu.edu/OffCampusHousing/ .

-WVU-

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